boric acid

noun

bo·​ric acid ˈbȯr-ik- How to pronounce boric acid (audio)
: a white crystalline acid B(OH)3 obtained from its salts and used especially as a weak antiseptic and fire-retardant

Examples of boric acid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The first phase will put out 22,000 tons of lithium carbonate powder and about 175,000 tons of boric acid per year. Christopher Helman, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024 Currently, boric acid can be used to treat some vaginal yeast infections, due to its bacteriostatic properties, or its ability to make bacteria stop growing, said Emily Cohen, MD, an emergency medical physician and medical toxicologist at NYU Langone Health. Julia Landwehr, Health, 3 Aug. 2023 For some women, vaginal boric acid suppositories can help. Dominique Fluker, Essence, 6 Oct. 2023 The mineral itself is made up of sodium, oxygen, and boron.1 Although borax is commonly confused with boric acid, the two aren't the same. Julia Landwehr, Health, 3 Aug. 2023 While boric acid is more toxic than its chemical cousin, researchers say 10 grams of borax in adults – and just 5 grams in children – can be fatal. Joedy McCreary, USA TODAY, 28 July 2023 There’s plenty of debate, even among doctors, about whether boric acid suppositories can cure certain vaginal infections. Korin Miller, SELF, 24 July 2023 For those with yeast infections, boric acid has been shown to employ an antifungal effect when used in vaginal suppositories. Zee Krstic, Good Housekeeping, 9 Apr. 2023 It’s made from 99 percent boric acid, which is the key deadly ingredient that (morbidly) affects the roach’s nervous and digestive systems, swiftly killing it. Kat De Naoum, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Apr. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'boric acid.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

boron

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of boric acid was in 1825

Dictionary Entries Near boric acid

Cite this Entry

“Boric acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/boric%20acid. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

boric acid

noun
bo·​ric acid
ˌbōr-ik-,
ˌbȯr-
: a white boron-containing weak acid that is used as a mild antiseptic

Medical Definition

boric acid

noun
: a white crystalline acid H3BO3 obtained from its salts and used especially as a weak antiseptic

called also boracic acid, orthoboric acid

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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